News roundup--BrandAlley, JJB Sports, more

Flash sales and online designer outlet BrandAlley has reported a 20 percent growth in revenue for the first half of the year to £14 million. The company attributes much of the growth to its mobile website, which is set to drive 20 percent of total sales this year. Further growth areas have come from the newly launched Outlet and the recent bad weather, which kept shoppers indoors—BrandAlley saw a 60 percent increase in unique visitors during the torrential rain of recent weeks.

Following the decision by Keith Jones to step down from the board of ailing sportswear retailer JJB at the end of the month, the company has named Beverley Williams as chief executive officer on an interim basis. Williams was most recently commercial director and co-chief exec at lingerie business La Senza.

Mike Basso, the owner of Pan World Brands, has led the buyout of discount apparel chain Ethel Austin. The deal includes 32 stores and saves 198 jobs, reports the Scotsman.